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City of Alexandria Receives Award from Virginia Municipal LeaguePlaces Third in “Green Government Challenge”

The City of Alexandria received third place in the Virginia Municipal League (VML) Green Government Challenge for Cities and Counties throughout Virginia. The Green Government Challenge, sponsored in conjunction with Moseley Architects, recognizes communities taking innovative steps to reduce energy usage and promote environmental sustainability.

Participants with 100 "green points" earn VML's certification as a "Green Government." The City placed third behind Loudoun County and Roanoke City, which tied for first place among jurisdictions with populations greater than 90,000. Each of the top three jurisdictions, within three population brackets, received special recognition at the VML Annual Conference in Norfolk on October 20. The City’s award includes a cash prize of $1,000, which will be designated towards environmental efforts.

This award recognizes Alexandria’s long-term commitment to environmentally sustainable efforts focused on improving the environment and quality of life for City residents. It also underscores the many environmental projects, programs and policies developed and implemented by the City. Alexandria was one of the original 278 municipalities that signed on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2005. That same year, the Sierra Club recognized the City as a “Cool City,” and in the past year, Popular Science named Alexandria as one of “America’s 50 Greenest Cities.”

The City's current Eco-City Alexandria initiative contributed to Alexandria’s high score because of its groundbreaking, innovative approach toward environmental sustainability. The initiative is a collaborative effort by the City, the Environmental Policy Commission and Virginia Tech University’s Department of Urban Affairs and Planning. The initiative aims to guide Alexandria toward a more sustainable environmental future by prioritizing energy conservation, green building practices, environmental protection, and recycling efforts. Specific Eco-City Alexandria achievements include the development of a “Green-Ventory”; an Eco-City Summit, and the first Eco-City Charter created and approved by a local jurisdiction; and currently, the development of an Environmental Action Plan.

“This award is a great honor and represents the City’s commitment to becoming one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the state and throughout the country,” said Mayor William D. Euille.

For more information about the City’s environmental efforts or about Eco-City Alexandria, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/Eco-City or contact the Office of Environmental Quality at 703.838.4334.